Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry

Casa Madre is a renovated triplex on Youngstown's southside where children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS are nurtured, challenged, encouraged, mentored and enriched. The child and family program provides services to 60 children each year, including:

• Weekly tutoring sessions for school-aged children, year-long academic enrichment and periodic educational programs and outings
• Mentoring and life skills building, including transitioning teens to young adulthood and college preparation
• A monthly play support group at the Cafe, serving 60 children per year. Large group, small group and individual-child recreational outings, several per month during the school year
• A summer program of tutoring, recreation, outings, nutritious meals, and one-on-one attention at Casa Madre, as well as enrollment in outside summer camp programs
• Advocacy, intervention and assistance in issues concerning housing, education, social services, material needs and physical well-being, as the children's needs arise

"I've made friends at Casa Madre who will be with me forever."

"Our bellies are always full here."       "I wish I could come every day."

"You have someone to ask when you have a question."

"I can't imagine not coming here."

NEWS OF SUMMER FUN

One of the great things about summer is the chance to introduce our kids to the beauty of nature and the (free) wonders in our own “neck of the woods,” while working on academic and personal goals.  Summer is just around the corner, or so the calendar says, if not the weather! And we have a great program of summer enrichment, life skills and recreation planned for the Casa Madre kids. The children and teens, along with summer staff will be exploring such topics such as the Underground Railroad, the importance of bees, and Youngstown history; developing life skills such as decision-making, employability, health, money management and gardening; and taking trips to Loghurst, the Ford Nature Center, a local Firehouse, the Steel Museum, and hopefully, Camp Fitch! We have invited local artists to share their talents with the kids, and will be relying on volunteer cooks to feed the always hungry crowd.  If you can help with the summer program, call us at Casa Madre (330-788-0362).